There is no question we’re in a climate emergency, but we have the tools at hand to combat it – and it will take every one of us to do so.  Alongside the University’s Climate Action Plan, your decisions at Pitt, at home, and around the world make a difference, representing everyday opportunity to positively impact our lives here in Pittsburgh, as well as those of other communities around the world.  Together, we are part of the solution and can build a brighter equitable future for all. 

Most Americans are cautious, concerned, and alarmed about climate change, but understand that our individual and collective actions need to speed up and expand. 

Every person, every action, every purchase, and every voice can bring us one step closer to keeping climate change in check.  Thank you for supporting our efforts here at Pitt! 

“All that you touch you change. All that you change changes you.” – Octavia E. Butler

Commuting

The University of Pittsburgh estimates that 68% of employees and 98% of students already make shared or active commutes to campus, but 32% of employees still drive alone. Given that the average Pitt employee commute is 10 miles one-way, not every employee even has the opportunity to take transit, bike, or walk.   

What You Can Do: If you’re already making shared and active mobility decisions on a regular basis, keep it up, thank you! If you are currently commuting to Pitt alone in a car, try making a different commuting decision one day a week (or even seasonally). As we take this journey together, every Pitt community member will continue to make important daily and trip decisions that will help us reach our carbon neutrality goals.  If you’re a driver,

• • You might first consider carpooling (2+ people) or vanpooling (5+ people); Pitt can help match you! Learn more.   
  • Even driving to a Park & Ride where you park and then hop on a bus can likely halve your carbon emissions — and get you out of trying to park in Oakland. 
  • Transit – Don’t forget that our Pitt ID allows you to ride for free on Port Authority buses and the T.  Being able to zone out during your commute is priceless, plus you might be able to get near door-to-door service!  Learn more. 
  • Active commuting can help you stay healthy, happy, and flexible, & reduce your GHGs!  
    • Biking: The University of Pittsburgh has been recognized as a Silver Bicycle Friendly University for our efforts to promote and enable safe, accessible bicycling on campus. Check out the Pitt Biking page for bike maps, storage solutions, safety tips, and more!   
      
    • Bike Share: DYK all Pitt students and employees get free, unlimited 30-minute rides on POGOH Pittsburgh’s bike sharing system? Learn more about POGOH at Pitt! 
    • Walking to campus is good for your body, mind, and the climate!  Learn more
      
      • Find out what the “5 surprising benefits of walking” are, including that people who walked at least 20 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week, had 43% fewer sick days than those who exercised once a week or less — and if they did get sick, their symptoms were milder and for less time.  
      • The Panther Walking Route encourages lunchtime walks around campus!
      • WalkPittsburgh offers walking trails and maps of neighborhoods around Pittsburgh. 
  • Scooters
    • If you feel safe on electric scooters and follow the rules, they can help reduce car and ride hailing trips. 
    • Quick Tips: Wear a helmet, go slow, stay off sidewalks, & respect pedestrians, bikes, & motor vehicles. 
    • Read everything you need to know about e-scooters (from BikePGH).
    • If you see improper scooter riding, parking, or a damaged vehicle, report it using the Spin App.  
  • Driving
    • If you must drive to campus, help reduce local and global air emissions by: 
      • Calculating your commuting costs to drive alone.  Knowing what driving is costing upfront can help your daily decision-making.
        
      • Making sure your tires are properly inflated; this simple practice is proven to improve your fuel efficiency. 
        
      • Flexing your hours so you you can avoid idling in rush hour traffic; and/or
      • Choosing a more efficient hybrid or electric car when you need a new one. The University has multiple electric vehicle charging stations on campus (with more coming soon) — and we’re working up to power all of them with purchased renewable electricity.  

Flex Work

Activating Pitt’s Flex Work Arrangement opportunity can help support our journey towards carbon neutrality by avoiding your commute entirely when you work from home!  The PittCAP estimates that flex work will help Pitt avoid 4,100 MT CO2e annually!

Pitt Green Designations

Pursuing a Pitt Green designation can demonstrate your active support for Pitt’s climate-friendly efforts.  Pitt Green designations recognize your existing sustainable practices and can help you add more to your workflow or daily decisions. We have options for offices (on-campus and at home), labs, events, residents, and student organizations! 

Sustainable Purchasing

GHG emissions resulting from campus-wide purchasing habits are reflected in Scope 3 of our annual GHG inventory. If you make purchasing decisions for Pitt, you can help ensure our supply chain emissions are more climate -friendly purchases that reduce energy and life cycle impacts while supporting local and diverse purchasing.  Space and equipment decisions are extra important.  Need help?  Check out Pitt Purchasing’s resources!

Office Space Optimization

With hybrid and flexible work arrangements available to many University of Pittsburgh employees, some departments are optimizing their physical spaces by creating shared desks and work areas that are better sized for who is on-campus at the same time. The PittCAP estimates optimizing office space help contribute to a GHG reduction of 2,900 MT CO2e by 2037!  You don’t have to reorganize your whole office to support this strategy; start small by sharing work spaces using Outlook.

Air Travel

Pitt air travel for conferences, study abroad, and other university-related travel accounts for 21.1% of our greenhouse gas emissions!  As a result, we’re asking everyone to look for opportunities to reduce and offset their air travel; please consider:

1. Attending conferences and speaking engagements virtually when possible.
2. Investigating train, bus, and carpooling options for closer destinations.
3. Flying direct when you can. DYK the most emissions are generated during takeoff?!
4. Purchase flights through Anthony Travel to help Pitt account for all air travel.
5. Buying carbon offsets to cover your flights if your budgets allow.
   • You can’t do this via Anthony Travel quite yet, but we’re working on it.  In the meantime, if you’re purchasing directly from the airline, some airlines allow you to purchase carbon offsets for your flight.
   • For Pitt-supported travel, carbon offsets can be submitted for reimbursement as an airline fee.
   • Learn more about air travel offsets
     • American Airlines offsets
     • United carbon offsets
     • Delta Airlines’ carbon neutrality plan
     • Southwest Airlines’ GHG reduction strategy

Printing & Paper

Paper accounted for 1.1% of Pitt’s GHG emissions in fiscal year 2019, but departmental decisions to use TreeZero’s carbon neutral paper and reduce printing are making a measurable difference also!  Pitt’s GHG emissions from paper were down 60% between FY 2017 and 2020.  FY21 reductions were greater, but heavily pandemic-influenced.

Plant Forward Dining

Pitt is committed to providing many plant forward dining options, which help reduce the carbon footprint of what’s on your plate! Try PittEats new plant forward and/or meat free items available across campus!  Consider participating in Meatless Mondays, where you make plant-centric choices all day, both on- and off-campus! DYK on average, if you eat one meatless day per week for a whole year you can reduce your emissions by 156.5 pounds! We report on plant forward dining progress University-wide as part of our commitment to the Cool Food Pledge!